Methods and systems for using community defined facets or facet values in computer networks

US10366080B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SKYWORD INC. · US

Inventors

• John L. Mihalik · Pittsburgh, US
• Thomas A. Gerace · Boston, US
• Russell G. Barbour · Natick, US
• Richard A. Meyer · Pittsburgh, US
• David A. Sandborg · Pittsburgh, US
• James E. Bostick · Cedar Park, US
• Kurt Wescoe · Pittsburgh, US
• Jennifer R. Hann · Pittsburgh, US
• Timothy R. Tresch · Bethel Park, US
• William Brian Evans · Winston-Salem, US
• Keith Kost · San Francisco, US
• Lauren Sozio · Boston, US
• Patricia Travaline · Boston, US
• Adam Oliveri · Pittsburgh, US
• Ralph Jenkins · Pittsburgh, US
• David McKenna · Dorpsstraat, US
• Gregory Garay · Pittsburgh, US
• Michael Shaheen · Pine Township, US
• Teresa Shine · McKeesport, US
• Carl Laneave · Monaca, US
• Aaron Reinard · Pittsburgh, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 14, 2015
• Grant date: Jul 30, 2019
• Expiry date: Dec 18, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F16/954
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A database search method and system utilize user community defined facets and facet values for refining searches. The system provides access to a database having a plurality of records in respective categories of information. Each record has one or more facets to the respective category of information, usable in connection with a search as suggested additional parameters for further refining search terms or guiding user navigation of the database. The facets and facet values are defined by a computer network community of users over time and through use of the network community portal. Another embodiment is an advertising engine that displays targeted advertisements to the user based on refined search. Another embodiment is a method that utilizes refined search to help the user with navigation of a site (e.g., website or other computer network site) as a component of a GUI.